Loretta Swit

Born Nov. 4, 1937 in Passaic, NJ, Swit had ambitions to becoming an actress at an early age, but ran into resistance from parents, both Polish immigrants, who were against the idea. She eventually won out and made her debut as the Snow Queen in a dance recital at the age of seven. Swit later set out to learn her craft at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, which preceded her studies with acclaimed teacher and director Gene Frankel as part of his repertory company. In the earliest days of her career, Swit faced opposition from casting directors over her last name and her somewhat non-ingénue features, which forced her to shift focus to the theater. Thanks to her knack for comedy, drama an... Continue Bio >>